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Richard Mattson passed away in June 2001. His story is reprinted here. In Defense of Sulo Havumaki as originator of the St. Urho legend Another claim to the origination of the St. Urho legend.
 www.mojakka.com
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Saint Urho Welcomes You!
The legend of St. Urho originated in Northern Minnesota in the 1950s. However, there are differing opinions as to whether it began with the fables created by Sulo Havumaki of Bemidji, or the tongue-in-cheek tales told by Richard Mattson of Virginia. Either way, the legend has grown among North Americans of Finnish descent to the point where St. Urho is known and celebrated across the United States and Canada, and even in Finland. St. Urho's Day is celebrated on March 16th, the day prior to the better known feast of some minor saint from Ireland, who was alleged to have driven the snakes from that island. The legend of St. Urho says he chased the grasshoppers out of ancient Finland, thus saving the grape crop and the jobs of Finnish vineyard workers. He did this by uttering the phrase: "Heinäsirkka, heinäsirkka, mene täältä hiiteen" (roughly translated: "Grasshopper, grasshopper, go to Hell!"). His feast is celebrated by wearing the colors Royal Purple and Nile Green. St. Urho is nearly always represented with grapes and grasshoppers as part of the picture. We hope you enjoy our effort to honor this mythical Finnish-American hero. Please feel free to share your St. Urho experiences and celebrations by clicking on the phrase below and sending a note to the webmaster.
Tim "Timo Winkenen" Winker
Saint Urho's Day 2009As usual, Timo and Uncle Toivo were in attendance at the St. Urho's Day parade in Finland, MN, held on Saturday, March 14. Some photos have been posted on Facebook. Click on the link below. St. Urho's Day celebrations in 2009:
FinnFest 2008Timo was a presenter on the "Legend of St. Urho" panel at FinnFest 2008, held in Duluth, Minnesota, July 23-27. Priscilla Harvela was the moderator, and read her poem about "Sinika, wife of St. Urho". Also on the panel was Gerry Kangas, who knew Richard Mattson, originator of the St. Urho legend. She has considerable St. Urho history in her archives. See more at the FinnFest 2008 web site.
Saint Urho's Day 2007
Timo and Uncle Toivo spent three weekends celebrating Saint Urho last year, with the 5th Annual Mojakka Cook-Off on March 11th, the parade in Finland, MN, on the 17th, and the Finlayson, MN, parade on the 24th. The SaintUrho.com Saab 900 convertible (built in Uusikaupunki, Finland!) was a part of the parade in Finland, Minnesota, on Saturday, March 17th!!! Link to photos below. If you have photos from other St. Urho's Day celebrations, or better yet, have created your own page chronicling festivities, let us know.
Laskianen in Palo, MN
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